Tobin Anderson hired to coach Iona Gaels: Looking at his coaching career at FDU

After an impressive tournament showing, Tobin Anderson has been named the next coach of the Iona Gales. According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, Anderson has agreed to a five-year deal to become Iona's next man in charge.

Fairleigh Dickinson became one of the top stories of the 2023 NCAA Tournament. After making March Madness as a No. 16 seed, Fairleigh defeated No.1-seeded Purdue 63-58, becoming the second No.16 seed in tournament history to accomplish such a feat.

Anderson coached at St. Thomas Aquinas from 2013-2022. After just one season with Fairleigh Dickinson, Anderson is now heading to replace former Iona coach Rick Pitino. He goes to Iona with an overall coaching record of 414-206.

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Tobin Anderson agrees to deal with Iona

Fairleigh Dickinson coach Tobin Anderson is heading to the Iona Gaels.

It's been incredible to take in what Tobin Anderson accomplished in just one season with the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights. When Anderson took over the program, the school has just completed a season that saw them win just four games.

A year later, the Knights went 21-16. This isn't the first time in which Tobin Anderson has been up for a head coaching job at Iona. In 2020, Anderson had reportedly impressed the Iona brass when the position was open. But then the university went with Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino, who had led the Kentucky Wildcats, Boston Celtics and New York Knicks.

Pitino on Monday left the Gaels to take over at St. John's. After his announcement, Iona quickly zeroed in on its previous candidate in Anderson. It was an impressive tournament run for the Knights considering the uphill battle they had against them.

Fairleigh Dickinson had to earn its shot against Purdue by first competing in the First Four. After an impressive 84-61 win against Texas Southern, the Knights shocked the world with their 63-58 victory over top-seeded Purdue. They came up short in the following round against Florida Atlantic, losing a tough-fought game 78-70.